Chance of water births being urged for mums-to-be

Share

A major child birth charity has urged midwives and hospitals in the UK to give mums-to-be the chance of a waterbirth. According to the charity, labour and birth in water offers a number of benefits over conventional practices for healthy women with an uncomplicated pregnancy at term. Past research has also shown that waterbirths tend to make women feel more in control and relaxed, resulting in less painful contractions, less stress to the baby and a reduced need for painkilling drugs, compared to traditional birthing practices. Furthermore, women who have waterbirths also tend to have fewer interventions, and shorter labours. A survey conducted by the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) has revealed that while 90 per cent of women are aware of the benefits of using water during labour and birth, more than 60 per cent are not being given the choice.

Advertisement

The NCT has now urged all maternity units to provide the option of giving birth in water, for every healthy woman with a low risk pregnancy. They suggested having a birthing pool in every delivery room and training all midwives to support women who wish to use them. Belinda Phipps, chief executive of the NCT, added that this approach would help hospitals reduce their Caesarean rates.

Your comments are automatically posted once they are submitted. All comments are however constantly reviewed for spam and irrelevant material (such as product or personal advertisements, email addresses, telephone numbers and website address). Such insertions do not conform to our policy and 'Terms of Use' and are either deleted or edited and republished.Please keep your comments brief and relevant.This section may also have questions seeking help. If you have the information you are welcome to respond, but please ensure that the information so provided is genuine and not misleading.

Disclaimer - All information and content on this site are for information and educational purposes only. The information should not be used for either diagnosis or treatment or both for any health related problem or disease. Always seek the advice of a qualified physician for medical diagnosis and treatment.Full Disclaimer